What an extraordinary week we have had, in Roundstone there are a group of English people from Nottingham, 80 all told staying around the village until next Saturday, in fact its part of a 60^th birthday for John Cummins who has been coming to Roundstone neigh on 12 years, so happy Birthday John and certainly they have boosted the economy for this time of the year, also being runners they had a 5 mile race yesterday Roundstone to Innishnee and back again, with prizes sponsored by Pat Mullen and Paddy the yank, but it does not stop there, then Paddy and Pat paraded a mere and a foal with the runners through the streets as a fund raiser and promotion for the forth coming pony show, the fund raising part was for the play ground, which raised €350. So many thanks to the entire group for their good humour and support for the village

Pony Show:

An update on the progress for the forth coming second Pony show set for the 8^th July, There will be a new class this year and this class is a rather a special one its for boys or girls from 12 yrs of age to 17 years of age to show in hand a mere, filly, gelding, not colts or stallions, the idea of this is to get more young people interested in ponies and showing generally, and we are delighted to say that this special class is kindly sponsored by the Killeen family. We will also once again have a show queen the judging will take place at the Roundstone House Hotel on the 22^nd June. So girls find a sponsor for the sum of €100. Clara Conneely was the show queen for 2006, this years Queen will receive some cash and a lovely Tiara. Talking to Paddy the yank this afternoon he informed me of a Dog show coming up on the Show grounds for the 12^th August, entry forms will be made available soon more details on that as the project unfolds

First Holy Communion:

I would like to congratulate all those who took their first holy Communion yesterday, Michael Conneely, Leeanne King, Jamie Devane, Maeve Ryan, and Siobhan Mannion, Father McCarthy in his usual eloquent way with the kids made a lovely Ceremony, then on to a lovely lunch in the Roundstone house Hotel of which yours truly was invited to attend with the family of Young Michael Conneely, so all in all a great day all round, in more ways than one and the kids looked very elegant, in fact I took some photos and these will be placed on the Roundstone website within the next few days

Broadband

Is now becoming well established in the village and the surrounding areas, I just got mine in today through Peter Keane and his son Ronan, mind you having said that it came close to not having the connection, because they both had to go onto the roof, thinking that all the bees had departed from the roof, but to Peters horror, “we have a problem Houston”, the brutes were back again, my heart sank, however the box was reallocated to another part of the Roof so “all is well Houston”, it was a close call. Certainly having broad Band now in the area, I have the feeling the Holiday home owners will spend more time with us as they now can work from home in Roundstone. It’s brilliant

Edinburgh University Sinfiona:

Tomorrow Tuesday at 7.30 pm in the Star of the Sea Church we will have a concert with a 40 piece Orchestra from the Edinburgh University Sinfonia; they will be playing Beethoven Symphony 5 and an Irish Rhapsody No 1

Their conductor is Ian McLarty, Ian is well known for his broadcasts on Television and Radio and as an added bonus there is no charge to listen to them, so your support would be appreciated

I received an email from Regina King who is working on a cruise Liner as a beautician, Regina has just finished up in the Caribbean and is going to Canada to spend the summer, Regina asked me to say hello to her parents through the Radio to Stephen and Nora from Murvey. So there you are Nora and Stephen Regina says Hi. The Roundstone website is certainly playing its part in keeping in touch with the area.

Our own Mary McDonagh (Shoulder’s Wife) is taking part in the 10k walk in Dublin on the 4^th June to raise funds for the roof of the star of the Sea church; Mary has a few sponsor cards around the village so again I am sure we will support her to get well on our way to have the church roof repaired

Just a reminder that we have the Children’s fun run on Sunday 3^rd of June 2.30, and in conjunction the official opening of the new play ground after the Run with Father McCarthy, and the possibility of Eamon O’Cuiv who has done a great deal for us.

I must say its been an interesting week in Roundstone

I remember some months ago, stating that Roundstone is in for a good year, what with new things happening in the area when we first got wind of the Play ground, well, three more enterprise are now up and running in Roundstone.

Michael Reynolds:

Michael who has leased Ferrons Shop has opened a hard ware shop across the road from the pumps with the usual beach Balls etc, and a comprehensive hardware selection.

The shop is based where the gym used to be.

Talking about Michael it was his 50^th birthday a few days ago, so we wish him luck with this new venture and of course a Happy Birthday

Josephine Keane:

Josephine opened a new business in her own home titled “Bay Breeze Health & Beauty Treatments such as Facials, Make –Up, Back & Neck Massage, Reflexology, Indian Head Massage and Hopi Ear Candle Treatment

Rose Mannion:

Rosie had her official opening of the Hair Salon after Mass yesterday, with Father McCarthy that did the official opening by cutting the Red Ribbon, followed by some food wine and a glass of Champagne for everyone in the audience, talking about an audience, what a turn out of local support, it has to said that to have a young local person going into business in her own village is something that one dreams of to keep our young people in the area, it goes without saying we wish her all the luck in the world with this venture. Photographs of the opening are on the Roundstone.ie website

Pony Show:

An update on the progress for the forth coming second Pony show set for the 8^th July, talking to Paddy this evening before going on air, he informs me that the plans are on track and that 4 foals have been born within the last few days possible in preparation for the show to come, who knows. There will be a new class this year and this class is a rather a special one its for boys or girls from 12 yrs of age to 16 years of age to show in hand a mere, filly, gelding, not colts or stallions, the idea of this is to get more young people interested in ponies and showing generally, and we are delighted to say that this special class is kindly sponsored by the Killeen family, I am sure every body knows that the Killeen family have always taken a great interest in Roundstone and are always ready to support the area. So there you are something else for the young to take part and take an interest with events in Roundstone

O’Dowd’s Roundstone Pub Golf Team

Congratulations to the O’Dowd’s Pub Golf Team won yet again for the fifth time the Peter Veldon Perpetual Trophy last Sunday, played over a period of four Sundays, the team consisted of Michael King,

Seamus de Courcey, Donal Nee, Carmel Gaughan, Michael Gaughan, Carmel Murphy, Padraic Malone, Billie Reilly, Joachim McHugh and their Captain Feichin Walsh, The Top four teams were Veldons, Keoghs, Tom Kings.

The O’Dowd’s team won with five points to spare, and as an added bonus, for the Team, member Joachim McHugh won the individual prize on the final day. So congratulations to all concerned

Bees:

Now to end off just a quick story, any body who has had bees in their roofs of their houses will know at certain times of the year ,they can be hazardous, I in fact have had three groups in the roof for a number of years giving me quite a few headaches as they were getting in to the house. During the hot weather that we had I thought there was going to be trouble for me, but not a sign of them, to cut a long story short, since late February early March they have all quite disappeared and have found many dead ones all over the place, the point that I am trying to make is that I read an article just a few days ago in a country magazine stating that the airwaves for mobile phones has a lot to do with their mortality. I wonder if this could be true. I have a hive on the ground, these bees seem to be fine, could their be some thing in it. I wonder if anybody else has bees in their roofs and have lost their bees